Thorogood, a childhood Richmond fan was desperate to play for the Tigers but was residentially tied to the Demons, who pressed their claims on him until he agreed to play in the Thirds in 1953. He remained there for two more seasons, eventually graduating from the Reserves to the senior side in early 1957.

After breaking into a strong team, the 21-year-old Thorogood held his place for 17 games - often as a reserve - to the end of the year and was on the bench of the premiership side. He went on to play in the next three grand finals.

Thorogood retired from the VFL after 1962 at just 27 years old to coach Waverley in the VFA. He joined them while they were second from bottom in the second division, and in four years took them to a first division premiership. Thorogood then followed Norm Smith to South Melbourne as assistant. After his time at South finished he returned to Waverley for a season before joining Prahran.

He quit playing at the end of 1967 and coaching midway through 1975 but accepted a job as an assistant at Carlton for 1976. When John Nicholls resigned before the season started he took over as interim coach before being appointed permanently. He remained in the job until the end of 1977. After he left Carlton, Thorogood returned to the Demons and was an Assistant to Dennis Jones in 1978, before looking after the Under 19's in 1979 and 1980. He was a match committee member in 1981.